Raw Materials Specialist

Raw Materials Specialist

Department : Quality

Location : Manufacturing Plant

FLSA Status : Exempt

Prepared / Revised Date : February 13, 2023

About the Position

The Raw Material Specialist position is responsible for managing edible and packaging raw material receipt, analysis and disposition. Key responsibilities include day-to-day decision making, problem solving and issue resolution with Purchasing, Technical Services and company vendors, recommending changes to our current raw material programs and methods based on performance data, and initiating and driving continuous improvement projects. This position strategically partners with Corporate QA to ensure company-wide alignment with quality initiatives and requirements.

Essential Functions

Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

• Evaluates raw material shipments for acceptability based on performance against specification, knowledge of ingredient functionality and customer expectations
• Reviews supplier certificates of analysis for product compliance against specification.
• Performs raw material data entry and evaluation, using statistically based methods and software.
• Troubleshoots raw material and packaging material issues with CM purchasing, R&D Raw Material Technical Specialist, and / or the vendor to ensure problem resolution.
• Coordinates raw material and packaging material rejection program including disposition recommendations and follow-through.
• Tracks supplier performance, notes trends, and makes suggestions for improvement.
• Monitors in-house storage of raw materials and makes suggestions for improvement.
• Audits raw material processes for accuracy, completeness and impact and recommends improvement where needed.
• Maintains and updates raw material laboratory procedures - recommends changes based on performance data.
• Manages aged raw materials
• Ensures safety quality and legality of all materials (raw, finished products).
• Provides technical expertise and training in the area of raw materials and packaging materials.
• Successfully performs all duties of the Quality Assurance Technician as required.
• Ensures plant compliance with GMP's, HACCP, third party audits and other state / federal regulations
• Serves as an effective resource to internal and external customers on raw materials and packaging materials.
• Recommends cost-effective dispositions / rework options on aging and obsolete raw materials.
• Provides ongoing leadership and decision-making accountability to the plant.
• Initiates and drives continuous improvement projects to completion.
• Performs audits and makes recommendations for improving food safety and food security.
• Performs mock recalls on edible and packaging raw materials a minimum of twice per year with recommended changes as needed.
• Collaborates with operations to ensure proper training and development of packing and raw material specifications.
• Supports other QA lab functions as needed.

Position Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and / or Experience :

Attendance :

To support ongoing business goals and successfully contribute to your team, acceptable levels of performance and attendance must be consistently maintained, including attending all required meetings and events. Requires the flexibility to work non-standard hours as needed.

Quality

Follows procedures to ensure all food quality standards are met or exceeded. Must also produce quality work measured by efficiency, accuracy, and completion of both personal and company goals in a manner that embodies CM values and our culture of integrity, dignity and respect.

Safety / Legal

Employees are required to conduct their work in a safe and legal manner, according to all GMP food safety standards as well as following any safety protocols. Employees must be willing to be responsible for their safety and health as well as the safety and health of all employees, vendors and visitors.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

This position requires working in both manufacturing and office environments. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone along with reaching. Specific vision abilities include close vision requirements due to computer work. Moderate noise, ability to work in a confined area, and ability to sit at a computer for an extended period of time are also included. Must be able to effectively communicate and work in a dynamic environment. You may also be on your feet for several hours a day and may be exposed to a variety of physical demands that require you to lift heavy objects, climb stairs, exert energy, bend, twist and squat and use tools and equipment in an indoor production environment that has a high level of food dust and limited climate control while wearing PPE.

Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope, but not limit our employees nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his / her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of the company.

The policy of Continental Mills, Inc. is to hire, train, and promote all persons in all job groups in accordance with law, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or military status, national origin, gender identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law.